The 2014 Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) graduation commencement ceremony was held Saturday, May 17 in Santee, NE, at the Mnisose Park. NICC has three campuses located in Santee, Macy, and South Sioux City. Each year the graduation location rotates among campuses and this year it was Santee’s turn to host.

There were 12 graduates who received their Associate of Arts degrees and each of the campus locations were represented with graduating students. This year the ceremony was held outside for the first time, and the weather could not have been more beautiful. After the ceremony a dinner was held at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center for the graduates, their families, and NICC faculty and staff.

During the ceremony, students were led to their seats by five traditional dancers, Trooper James, Perry Little and son along with Clarissa LaPlante and granddaughter accompanied by singers Jamie Chinana, Delray Coffman, Dwayne Wabasha, Wyatt Thomas, and Shawn Coffman. Afterward a welcome and invocation were given by Roger Trudell, Chairman of the Santee Sioux Nation. Other presentations during the ceremony included the Faculty of the Year award given to Dawn Hair who teaches science and math. Faculty of the Year candidates are nominated by faculty members and then voted upon by students. Student address speeches were given by graduates Rochelle Klug and Crystal Appleton.

This past year NICC also lost two long-time members of the NICC family: Jerry Denney, former Board of Directors member, and Margaret Maass, long-time instructor of General Liberal Arts. Chairs covered with star quilts and their photos were placed up front to honor them.

After students received their diplomas and their degrees were conferred, the singers sang an honor song for them and they were led back out by the traditional dancers.

It was a great day and Nebraska Indian Community College would once again like to congratulate all the graduates on a job well done. NICC is very proud of their accomplishments and wish them luck with future pursuits!